Originally Posted by
gatorbird
The clues we've been handed from reps is that transition language as it stands is a non-starter, which is why I brought up some alternatives a few pages back. If that's the way it's gonna be- fine. It'll be up to us (NC via I assume polling) to come up with a solution. I heard it best from LEC 18 CA Rep P.D.: regardless of how much money or credit a guy makes from transition, the MEC/NC view it as a QOL provision. I agree with that viewpoint, so with that in mind, it should only be modified/replaced by other QOL items (not sold for a rate/PS/etc).
So what solutions are out there? Not PBS in my opinion, for the reasons I stated in my last post along with many others. That's why I'm a fan of a solid min calendar day, elimination of trip averaging, and higher min days off than currently agreed to. If anyone else has other possible solutions let's hear them.
Okay, here are a few QOL issues I can brainstorm:
- Firm up the 5-days off provided per our contract. Basically, eliminate the "to the maximum extent possible" style verbiage, which basically leaves us with the crappy 4 days off, when it was originally sold as 5 days off.
- Increase min days off, both for reserves and line holders
- Require company to either post RSV days in OT (again, another victim of poor suggestive vs requiring verbiage) or at least allow RSVs to swap RSV days. It's unreal how I could drop my ENTIRE month of RSV flying, yet couldn't swap for a single other day!! Definitely a huge hit to RSV QOL by not allowing them to swap.
- This is both pay and QOL: Redeye turns are a ***** and should be compensated accordingly. You see PHX and LAS Redeye turns out of DFW in OT for almost every single night of the month. For good reason. You sh*t all over your personal life and body clock, all for 4.5 hrs (PHX) pay. No override. It's considered single duty period, so the trip rig of 4 hrs doesn't even help!
DAL counts calendar days rather than duty periods. We should either rig for calendar days (i.e. Redeye turn would pay at least 9 hrs at current rig) or provide 1.5x or 2x pay for that stuff. I did R19 for 6 months, trust me it'll kick you in the gooch after a while. Oh, and the QOL issue (besides ruining personal life) comes in since line holders feel obligated to drop every one of these worthless trips, so the RSV guys suck it up big time. And the line holders of course are left scrambling to find a replacement trip.
- How about thinking outside the box somewhat. If you're not gonna compensate financially for flying ass-kicking Redeye turns, how about comp an extra day off for each Redeye turn worked? Incentivize the flying! You'd be amazed what I would do for an extra 7 days off each month. Man, I'd be doing Redeye turns as much as possible the first 1.5 weeks, and have the remainder of every month off! Incentive doesn't always have to be $$. QOL incentives work just as well sometimes!
- How about an employee cafeteria and/or catered food for turns so we don't have to scramble to get food between flights whilst juggling the nonsensical fueling procedure?!
- Create some "cockpit passes" for my wife (or your wife/girlfriend, I don't discriminate) to ride in the jumpseat. Would enhance safety since I'd remain more alert ;-)
- Uniforms. Different provider and/or subsidy for us to get our own. I'm all for looking unified, but give me a break. These Incentex rags don't belong on a hobo.
- All vacation should be taken as days (similar to the float), not required as weekly blocks. Make your x days go farther.
- Add an option to put Gabe on my don't-call-me list, similar to the do-not-fly list.
- Require all hotels to offer us points for stays as well as free breakfasts and/or welcome drinks, regardless of departure time.
I'm sure I'll come up with more, but I've sat on the throne long enough, and I can no longer feel my legs...
Sent from Airbus